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26/05/2008, 17:37 Foxy Joined on 25/05/2008 Manche Posts 4 Is there life in Normandy?? I expect  this question has probably come up on the forum many times in the past, but I will ask it again anyway. My wife and I (fairly active mid-sixties retirees) have been thinking about relocating to France for quite a while, but would rent for , perhaps, six months, before committing to buy a house. We have finally narrowed down our favourite areas to Manche or Calvados, not too far from the coast, if possible. Last year we rented for a month near to La Haye du Puits, and very much liked the feel of that area. I speak enough French to get around but my wife would be a complete beginner. We are starting to learn from courses on the Internet, and would enrol for classes when we get to France. My real question is:- How difficult is it initially to involve yourself in a local community, without speaking fluent French? Obviously we would like to meet other ex-pats, but would really want to get to know as many local French people as possible. We realise that the social scene in small French towns or villages is not the same as England (No Pub), and when you drive through small towns etc, you hardly ever see any signs of life. Is there anybody there? We would really love to hear from others on the forum about their experiences in trying to integrate and making a go of living in France.      Report

27/05/2008, 14:04 tinabee Joined on 24/09/2007 61 Orne Posts 101 Re: Is there life in Normandy?? If you make the effort to speak French, people do appreciate it and you will improve the more you try. There is lots to do - I suppose it just depends what you are interested in. Here is a list of the associations in our local town: http://www.vire.com/vie_en_ville/asso/ There is even one specifically for newcomers to the town. In the villages, the locals may take some time to get to know and you will probably always be classed as outsiders. This applies to anyone whose grandparents were not born in the village, including the French. Our village has an annual meeting hosted by the Maire which, if you find something similar, is a great place to start. A lot of the get-togethers may seem a bit old-fashioned or parochial in comparison with the UK, but they are normally very friendly and convivial. Our last local event was the election of the May Queen followed by aperitifs :o)   TB    Report

31/05/2008, 11:59 Framboise Joined on 29/11/2006 At home in the Orne Posts 511 Re: Is there life in Normandy?? We moved out in Feb this year to Normandy.   Life here does not revolve around pubs or shopping, rather its a family affair whereby people mix in their own social circles instead of sitting in a pub for an evening.    It is different to what we Brits are used to but that why we like it! Our local noticeboard by the church has all sorts of social activities open to everyone on it.   Casserole Evenings, dance classes, get togethers etc, plus there is also a whole list of things connected to the church or the local schools to get involved in if you wish.   A trip to a bigger town near by offers an even greater range of social activities - and bars if thats what you want. Our French is not good, yet by and large we have been welcomed to this quiet backwater by lovely people who help us whenever they can when we communicate with lots of hand signals and gramatically ghastly French.   Don't let lack of language ability put you off -  the effort is more appreciated than if you stand there bellowing in English at them expecting to be understood. By the way, the towns and villages you pass are not deserted.  Just roll up there on market day or on a festival and the place will be thronging with life, its just that for most folk life revolves around home and family and they have no need to be out in bars etc.     The French Way is different to what we were used to in England and thats how it should remain.     Report

31/05/2008, 16:10 Cathy Joined on 07/03/2006 Mostly near Bordeaux; Sometimes near Bristol Posts 1,964 Re: Is there life in Normandy??  Foxy wrote: How difficult is it initially to involve yourself in a local community, without speaking fluent French? ... we would ... really want to get to know as many local French people as possible. There are a number of French people who can speak English but not a huge number, bearing in mind for long conversations, their (or your) language skills have to be pretty good.  So I think that you are limited if you do not speak French.  Language lessons will improve your proficiency but will not allow you to have lengthy conversations until you have been here for some time.  The chattier the French person, the easier it is to speak because you always understand more than you can speak. I have met a number of French people by going to vide greniers (car boot sales) and chatting to people because they are next to their stalls all day and have time to speak. Cathy ----- Your children won't remember you ironing their pyjamas but they will remember you reading them a bedside story.    Report

08/06/2008, 8:21 Foxy Joined on 25/05/2008 Manche Posts 4 Re: Is there life in Normandy?? Many thanks to TinaB, Framboise and Cathy for your replies. I havn't been able to thank you all up to now, as we have been over to Normandy again for a few days. Very helpful thoughts and advice. Much appreciated.  Our house is up for sale  and we are getting quite a bit of interest!!  Best wishes to you all. Foxy    Report

08/06/2008, 14:20 cassis Joined on 28/12/2007 Manhattan and Glasgow Posts 640 Re: Is there life in Normandy??  Foxy wrote: I speak enough French to get around but my wife would be a complete beginner. We are starting to learn from courses on the Internet, and would enrol for classes when we get to France. If you're planning to learn the lingo at classes in France, make sure there are French classes for Brits available near where you move to - these are not that common, unless you're moving to an area with a lot of Brits. Zoggy played guitar, jammin' good with Weird and Golly. Lyrics copyright Sausage Music 2008    Report

09/09/2008, 21:42 Junlesley Joined on 23/08/2004 Vindefontaine (50) Posts 91 Re: Is there life in Normandy?? Hi Foxy, We live near La Haye du Puits and its a lovely area to live in, nice friendly French and English people to meet, if you contact Jill Cousin at Gimazane Immobilier in La Haye du Puits e.mail jillcousin@orange.fr she will give you lots of info on the area and tell you what activities are available ( if you are interested in painting her Husband Joe runs painting classes) and there are several French classes in and around the area, I couldn't wish to live anywhere else but here but perhaps I'm biased. Please feel free to contact me direct if you have any other questions. June Price Priceless Pets Vindefontaine (50)    Report

15/09/2008, 23:21 Foxy Joined on 25/05/2008 Manche Posts 4 Re: Is there life in Normandy?? Hi June, Sorry I haven't answered your message before, but I have been off-line for about 3 weeks. Very nice to hear that you love living near La Haye du Puits and that the local French and English are  friendly and welcoming.   We have now sold our house  in Essex, and completion is fixed for 24th October.  We are going to rent again in Vesly (near La Haye) for a   short while and hope to meet people while we are in Normandy. I will definitely contact Jill Cousin during our stay. Changeing the subject!!  I recently heard that some old friends of ours, who moved to Nord Pas de Calais some years ago, were not allowed to put their house up for sale for the price they wanted, because the Mayor refused them permission.  They had spent quite a lot on the property over the years,and considered that they were asking a fair price. I have not heard anything like this before now.  Surely the Mayor doesn't have any control over property prices in his town or village ? Have you heard anything like this while you have been in France? Looking forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, Foxy      Report

16/09/2008, 4:36 Junlesley Joined on 23/08/2004 Vindefontaine (50) Posts 91 Re: Is there life in Normandy?? Hi Foxy, Not heard anything like that before but maybe jill may have the answer. Yes I know Vesley its a nice little place, I'm sure we'll meet up when you are over here, we dont tend to live in each others pockets but we do meet up and have get togethers ocasionally, normally its BBQ's or just a good old chinwag! June Price Priceless Pets Vindefontaine (50)    Report

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